Family held at gunpoint during jewelry store robbery

KENNEWICK, Wash. -- A family was held hostage as a well known jewelry store in Kennewick was robbed Wednesday night.

Police say three armed robbers went to the family's home around 10PM, and barged in with masks and guns. A neighbor says they were dressed as construction workers, and broke through the door. The neighbor also says the store owner's wife, two daughters, and grandchild were tied up with ropes while the robbers kidnapped the owner and forced him to drive his truck to Touchstone Jewelers. The crooks also allegedly cut phone lines to the home.

Ken Lattin, with the Kennewick Police Department says, "it appears this was not random, this was not spur of the moment, this was very well planned out, so it does cause us great concern. We have called the Washington state crime team, investigation team to come and assist us with this."

Police say after the thieves got the jewelry they took the owner back to his home, and drove away in his pickup truck. Police later found the truck abandoned along Joliet Street and 9th Avenue. They are asking if anyone has any information about any suspicious activity around the house or store to give them a call, or call CrimeStoppers at 586-tips.